MSN-02 Zeong

The MSN-02 Zeong was a prototype Newtype-use mobile suit produced by the Principality of Zeon. The “MS” in the model code refers to it being a mobile suit, while the “N” identifies it as a Newtype-use model. The “02” in the model code indicates that it was the first design.

The Zeong prototype was still under construction in Zeon’s A Baoa Qu base when the Earth Federation attacked. Kycilia Zabi ordered Char Aznable to pilot it in a desperate move to halt the invasion. Although the mobile suit was only eighty percent complete, it was operating at full combat capacity. The absence of legs did not affect its functionality in a space battle.

The prototype was destroyed along with the RX-78-2 Gundam in the ensuing battle.

The Zeong was later developed into the MSN-02 Perfect Zeong that had its leg built and functioned the way the Zeong was designed to. The MSN-03-2 Great Zeong was an improved model of the Zeong but the design was abandoned due to a lack of resources.

Design

The Principality of Zeon had developed the [MS-06Z Psycommu Zaku][] specifically for Newtype-use. However, the psycommu system was too bulky for a Zaku frame, prompting the scientists to develop the MSN-01 High Mobility Psycommu System Zaku. Despite the improvements in its speed, the results were far from satisfactory. Unable to further reduce the size of the psycommu system, the scientists designed a new mobile suit from scratch with a larger body frame to accomodate the psycommu system. The MSN-01 Kikeroga was developed to test the weapons that would be eventually used in the Zeong.

Unlike most mobile suits that had their cockpits located in the torso, the Zeong’s cockpit was built in its head. The head could be ejected as a separate module that not a mere escape pod but a fully-functional unit with combat capabilities.

The Zeong did not have any legs as it was still under construction. Zeon was able to deploy it in battle as the legs were unecessary when the mobile suit was used in space.

Armaments

The Zeong was equipped with fixed ranged weapons and used its hands for melee combat.

Five-barrel mega particle guns

Each of the Zeong’s ten fingers had a mega particle gun built into them. This made each forearm a five-barrel mega particle gun that could be detached from the body and operate remotely. The forearms had thick wires to control them while they were separated from the mobile suit.

The five barrels on each hand were fire-linked. The fingers could be manipulated to vary the angle of fire, giving the Zeong a flexible spread of firing range that made it difficult to dodge the mega particle beams.

Mega particle guns

Two front-facing mega particle guns were mounted in the middle of the Zeong’s torso. A third mega particle gun was built into the head of the mobile suit. When the Zeong’s head was detached from the body, the pilot could still use the gun mounted in the head in combat.

However, when the head was separated from the body, it was unable to draw power from its power plant. It had to rely on the energy stored in the head, limiting the number of shots the pilot could use when the head is separated from the body.